I like them too...and my vest and lanyard go up attached to the tree as I go.

Welcome to the forums big guy.

This is horrible. I'll admit I'm guilty of not using a harness with my climber but after seeing this (as well as other stories) I think I'll smarten up this year and use one...

Thank you for welcoming me.

That is awful....I always make sure that myself and my 13 yr old boy ALWAYS wear our safety harness....I hunt with my brother-in-law who does not wear one...I don't understand it...I have told him my piece about not wearing a harness....I tell him all it takes is "one time"...I just don't get not wearing something that can save your life!

I personally know two people who are paralyzed because of a climbing stand fall. PLEASE wear those harnesses every time.

I have heard quite a bit in the thread about climbing stands falling even though it does not state the individual was using a climbing stand. I use a climbing stand (summit) and have used one for 15+ years. Unless both portions give out at the same time I do not understand how one can fall. You lock one piece in, move the second half and lock it in place so both are locked. Now you unlock one and move it and relock. A vey simple and safe process. This is similar to the process used when climbing trees using steps and limbs, only disengage one anchor point at a time and three points are always locked. This was the process before all the super harnesses were available.

I just do not understand the climbing stand falling.

I certainly agree w/your observation about detail on stand type. The issue is that people are either careless or don't take proper time to learn or use the product properly. The harness is just an extra/necessary layer of protection, as you know. Users can be harmed on any stand type and rarely is it product design/integrity at fault. No ounce of accident prevention should be overlooked. Getting users to be responsible is the real problem.

Overlooking your gear can lead to one portion of a climber failing. If it is the bottom section and the individual is not wearing a safety harness then they may not have time to catch themselves. Also keep in mind that I see a fair amount of individuals in the woods that cannot do a single pull up so even if they catch themselves it is only a matter of time before they cant hold themselves up and drop. Just something I have observed over time and to add I have also seen people climbing their stands with bow or gun strapped to them or their gear still attached versus using a rope to retrieve gear after they get situated. Sad thing all around and something easily caused by complacency or rushing, not saying this is the case but something we should all be aware of.

"I don't understand why he didn't use a harness". I see a lot of posts like this. Maybe because he didn't want to. Maybe he made peace with the potential consequences, and continued doing what made him happy.

What I personally don't understand is why so many people have to voice their insecurities over the choices others make. If I choose to sit a stand without a safety harness, you can still choose to sit your stands with a harness.

If you like a harness, wear it. ... Edited by Champlain Islander

Hey new guy! Perhaps you forgot this is a discussion forum. Hard to have a discussion if you don't put forth your opinion, even your ill conceived one.